Coventry versus The Tractor Boys, The Foxes against Derby, and More EFL Action Updates
Greetings to the full night of Football League as well as continental soccer action. Our focus includes key Championship clashes plus the pivotal last group games in the Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
Introduction
Oh, hi folks. You are welcome to what is arguably this penultimate football live blog of the year. There’s an extensive EFL programme, kicking off with Coventry v Ipswich at 18:00, and we will also monitor a close watch on the two evening games from Group A at this Africa Cup of Nations: Morocco hosting Zambia as well as Mali facing Comoros.
Our primary attention will be on the following matches, all 19:45 start times except where noted.
Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures
- Comoros versus Mali (7pm)
- The Copper Bullets v Morocco (7pm)
Second Division Matches
- The Sky Blues v The Tractor Boys (6pm)
- Leicester versus Derby
- Boro versus Hull
- The Lions v Bristol City
- The Red Dragons v Preston
Third Tier Fixture
- Cardiff v Boro
Latest Lineup Updates
Ipswich at Coventry Confirmed Lineups
The evening's opener, between the teams who are top and third in the Championship, promises to be a cracker. Here are the two XIs.
Coventry City (a 4-2-3-1 formation) Rushworth; van Ewijk, Woolfenden, Kitching, the left-back; Torp, Grimes; Sakamoto, Rudoni, the forward; Wright.
Subs: The backup keeper, the midfielder, Simms, the defender, the full-back, Latibeaudiere, the midfielder, Perry, the player.
Ipswich (a 4-2-3-1 setup) The shot-stopper; the defender, the centre-half, the defender, Greaves; Matusiwa, the midfielder; Walle, Nunez, Jack Clarke; Azon.
Substitutes: Palmer, Young, the midfielder, the defender, the midfielder, Burns, the forward, Philogene-Bidace, Akpom.
The official Backhouse (Cumbria).
Afcon 2025: First Group Permutations
The situation is complex. It always is where only some third-place sides qualify. This is the current state before this evening's final round of games.
- Morocco 4pts, GD+2
- Mali 2 points, 0 goal difference (with 2 goals for)
- Zambia 2 points, GD0 (goals scored 1)
- Comoros 1 point, -2 goal difference
To summarize, Morocco are probably fine though they will aim to defeat Zambia to top their pool. Zambia likely requires at least a point versus Morocco. Comoros probably need to beat Mali, who will probably be okay with a point.
Many possibilities, various outcomes, plenty of scenarios.
Angola v Egypt Latest
The conclusion of the second group at this Africa Cup of Nations is being covered. To avoid spoilers, don’t click the link.
Second Tier Table Overview
| Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coventry | 23 | 31 | 51 |
| 2 | Middlesbrough | 23 | 9 | 43 |
| 3 | Ipswich | 23 | 15 | 38 |
| 4 | Hull | 23 | 2 | 38 |
| 5 | Preston North End | 23 | 7 | 37 |
| 6 | Bristol City | 23 | 7 | 36 |
| 7 | Millwall | 23 | -6 | 36 |
| 8 | Watford | 23 | 4 | 35 |
| 9 | QPR | 23 | -2 | 35 |
| 10 | Stoke | 23 | 7 | 34 |
| 11 | Derby | 23 | 1 | 32 |
| 12 | Southampton | 23 | 4 | 31 |
| 13 | Wrexham | 23 | 2 | 31 |
| 14 | Leicester | 23 | -1 | 31 |
| 15 | Birmingham | 23 | 1 | 30 |
| 16 | West Brom | 23 | -5 | 28 |
| 17 | Charlton | 22 | -6 | 27 |
| 18 | Blackburn | 22 | -4 | 26 |
| 19 | Sheff Utd | 23 | -5 | 26 |
| 20 | Swansea | 23 | -7 | 26 |
| 21 | Oxford Utd | 23 | -8 | 22 |
| 22 | Portsmouth | 22 | -10 | 22 |
| 23 | Norwich | 23 | -9 | 21 |
| 24 | Sheff Wed | 22 | -27 | -8 |
